Looking for advice regarding trainspotting as a beginner

[enphyte]

Hey all, this is my first post on this forum - hopefully this is the right thread and manner of asking!
I have always been interested in trainspotting and have watched countless trainspotting videos, and with summer coming up I want to use that time to try trainspotting out for the first time in and around the London area. I have read the NR guidance for rail enthusiasts and some threads across this forum and Reddit and just wanted some advice and clarification regarding some things, just to ensure I'm doing the right thing.

Firstly, when it comes to filming and photos, I read on the NR page that commercial filming and photography isn't allowed without prior permission, does this include YouTube videos (with or without ads) or are they acceptable as "personal use"?

Additionally, I would also like some general advice regarding locations to film and watch trains go by in and around the London area, some stations and locations I'd like to visit include Rainham (HS1 & c2c), alongside Barking, Watford Junction, Clapham Junction, Queenstown Road & Vauxhall and Stratford among others. Are any of these stations good for trainspotters and how do staff typically treat them at filming? I have heard stories about stations such as Euston, etc treating trainspotters rather harshly and want to know what stations to avoid and what stations are better overall.
Are attitudes to trainspotters dependent on the TOC that manages the station, for example are LNWR more favorable compared to SouthEastern for example? Or is it based on station rather than TOC?
In regards to this aswell, I plan on going through stations in a batch rather than one at a time, so for example I would spend a day going from Vauxhall -> Queenstown Road -> Clapham Junction and filming at each location for ~30 mins (depending on train activity), is this a good way of going about stations in the London area?

Alongside this (typically) how are c2c staff when it comes to trainspotting at their stations, I am curious as this is my local operator and thus much easier for me to to find places to trainspot.
With Rainham specifically I would be using the footbridge outside the station overlooking HS1, so the question regarding staff doesn't matter too much there I think!
The same question goes for Stratford aswell, as I would like to film there but I'm not sure of their attitudes toward trainspotters considering it is a busy station. As long as staff are aware of what I'm doing and I only film for ~30 mins at the Greater Anglia platforms, would this be acceptable or is Stratford not friendly in this regard?

I also plan on filming (atleast at first) with my phone, with the potential of upgrading to a proper camera at some point once I have the money.

If there is any other pieces of advice outside of what I've mentioned that you are willing to share, then I would appreciate it! IK this is quite the long post so apologies about that!

If this is the wrong topic to post this in then please let me know and I'll be happy to repost this in the correct topic. Thank you

 

[birchesgreen]

You should be fine filming trains, many of us do it every day without issue!

As long as you arn't a nuisance or make staff worried you are unsafe (running up and down platforms, getting in the sight lines of despatch staff, encroaching where signs say you should not et cetera) you will be fine. Of course you may get someone to tell you off or claim you arn't allowed to take pics or video but that has happened to me precisely once in the 40 years i have been an enthusiast...

 

[enphyte]

Thanks for the help! Hopefully I don't have any issues while trainspotting, perhaps might be able to publish any footage I get sometime.

 

[99009]

Hi @enphyte

The vast majority of railway stations around the UK are completely fine to take photos and videos at, including Youtube videos for the purpose of trainspotting. At some stations, especially bigger ones, you may be approached by a member of staff and asked what you're doing or to stay behind the yellow line. They're just doing their job of carrying out a welfare check and again, in most cases, will be supportive/understanding of what you're doing and leave you alone after.

In London, I recommend avoiding most of the London terminus stations (some won't let you onto the platforms anyway like at Liverpool Street and Euston) and I don't know if it's still the case, but unfortunately I have heard in the past that Barking + many places along the c2c route are unfriendly towards rail enthusiasts and filming. Stratford, Clapham Junction and Watford Junction you shouldn't have any problems at, apart from maybe a staff member asking what you're doing. Stratford as far as I know is very enthusiast friendly and often stations like Stratford that are used to seeing rail enthusiasts are better to go to, especially when a beginner.

As well as Stratford and Clapham Junction, other locations in London I recommend visiting are Acton Main Line, Gospel Oak and Wandsworth Road. These stations have plenty of variety, including freight and therefore other rail enthusiasts will most likely be there.

Unless you are asked to leave by a member of staff, which is very unlikely and usually only if they think you are behaving in an unsafe way, you are totally fine to film/photo trains on your phone at a station as long as you wish.

The last pieces of advice for now are:
a) to make sure you have a way to keep track of all the trains you see, whether that's through an online website such as Trainlogger, or with a simple notepad and pen/pencil.
b) I only joined this forum recently, but it seems so far to be a friendly place. So if you have any further questions, don't be afraid to ask. Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Hello @enphyte welcome to the forum and to this fantastic hobby of all things railway related - for some of us here, it's consumed us for literally decades!

I echo what others suggest for Stratford. It's a location that I enjoyed in the late 1980s and the early 1990s; and I changed there often, whilst living in London's Royal Docks 2005-2012.

Stratford also gives you (by using the DLR) handy access to see Eurostar trains racing through Stratford International.

Good luck!

 

[DuckFields]

Hi @enphyte ! Welcome to the forum, (I’m relatively new myself)

Thought I’d also share some tips regarding trainspotting.

I trainspot every Saturday at Newcastle, and Staff usually don’t have an issue with filming, although it’s best to try and avoid pointing cameras at individuals including staff, just for personal security.

As others above have also stated, and are the most obvious, remember to stay behind the yellow line, do not tresspass etc.

It’s also worth mentioning, if you’re taking trainspotting seriously, particularly for YouTube, I would recommend noting down Unit Numbers (and headcodes).

This would help you in the editing process of the video, but also in your general training logging. I got into a good habit of this when I started logging, so that when I edit my videos I can put the right unit number and headcode on-screen.

I wish you luck, remember to try and trainspot as often as possible, so you can get into a habit of logging, but also to try and figure out where your preferred spot is.

Have fun!

 

[Bevan Price]

You may also find it easier to move between stations if you have, for example, a one day travelcard, or a ranger / rover ticket when you decide to extend your spotting outside London..

Otherwise, stand well clear of platform edges, and (if/when) you get a video camera, do not use flashguns on railway property, and do not use tripods at locations they might be a trip hazard.

If you have not yet seen them, there are various "spotting" books listing loco & unit numbers, often on sale at bookstalls on large stations.

 

[enphyte]

Afternoon / Evening all!
Thank you for your kind welcomes and handy advice, I had some time this weekend to do some trainspotting at Stratford for the first time. I decided to treat this as a way to practice filming trains and probably wont upload these publicly to YouTube (atleast not yet!).

All the staff members I came across were friendly and happy for me to trainspot on Platforms 9/10, and I managed to get some good shots of c2c, Elizabeth line, Central line and Greater Anglia services. I spent most of my time on the eastbound side as it was particularly hot and the westbound side had little shade, so unfortunately didn't manage to get any Overground action today (though I did curiously see a 710 doing a Richmond service from Platform 10a, which I believe is rare as it is typically ran by 378s).
Next time I go to Stratford, which hopefully will be sometime in July, I also plan on trying out Platform 10a/11 for spotting, seemed much more quieter and had less obstructions than the already pretty good Platform 9/10.

Once again, thank you all for your feedback and advice, and I'll quickly reply to some of your points real quick.

but unfortunately I have heard in the past that Barking + many places along the c2c route are unfriendly towards rail enthusiasts and filming

That's a shame to hear, though I still know some pretty decent spots for spotting c2c trains that are outside of the station including around the footbridge at Leigh-on-Sea high street and of course Rainham's footbridge for HS1, so it's not all lost! Thank you for the pointers, however. Maybe with renationalisation we might see a change in attitude.

I recommend avoiding most of the London terminus stations (some won't let you onto the platforms anyway like at Liverpool Street and Euston)

This is something I've heard reading other older threads, so I'll definitely avoid them for the time being. At some point this summer I hope to do Vauxhall -> Queenstown Road -> Clapham Junction -> Victoria, and with Victoria specifically I've seen some videos on Boogies' channel of some good spots on the road bridges going into Victoria station that I'd like to try out!

other locations in London I recommend visiting are Acton Main Line, Gospel Oak and Wandsworth Road.

Thank you for these pointers! I'll definitely check these out at some time, I've been past Acton Main Line before and it definitely seems pretty good, especially with the HS2 construction nearby!

Stratford also gives you (by using the DLR) handy access to see Eurostar trains racing through Stratford International.

I did think of checking out Stratford International today, but time wasn't on my side unfortunately so maybe another day! Would love to see some Eurostar trains racing by, which I do see sometimes in Thurrock but typically when I am in another train anyway so I don't get the best of views haha!

It’s also worth mentioning, if you’re taking trainspotting seriously, particularly for YouTube, I would recommend noting down Unit Numbers (and headcodes).

Started doing this today and it is definitely smart to do. Though I did do it once I had got to the platforms, so next time I will definitely plan ahead and note them down the morning before visiting any future stations.
I first did it on a notebook but I will try out the Trainlogger site to see how that goes!

Once again, thank you all for your help! I've attached one of the photos I took from the platform of 745005 on the 1P43 Norwich - Liverpool Street service.
I have some more but I am currently waiting for iCloud to sync all the videos and photos so I can download them on my computer!

Hope you all have a good rest of your day, and hopefully I'll be posting some more photos and videos soon!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Hello @enphyte thanks for telling us about your successful day. I'm delighted Stratford has given you some interesting sights while you were there; and that you'll have a chance to visit Stratford International when you're next over that way.

Enjoy!

 

[Willie Bee]

As @DuckFields said, getting headcodes etc is good.

Funnily enough, I was watching a live 'train spotting' stream on YT and a chap was giving train details as the trains were arriving. I assumed he was reading the numbers on the train fronts. When I asked how he was doing this so quickly, I learnt the 'secret'

The website 'Real Time Trains' gives these numbers for each train, but only if you search using their 'detailed' option, rather than the 'simple' system

 

[milooo]

From own experience going along with what others have said avoid major terminus and also nwr managed stations.. as unfortunately some staff can be unessecerally aggressive towards trainspotters!

 

[pokemonsuper9]

In London, I recommend avoiding most of the London terminus stations (some won't let you onto the platforms anyway like at Liverpool Street and Euston

I would note that if no one is guarding it (and even sometimes when they are) just walking with confidence gets you onto the platforms at Euston.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

In London, I recommend avoiding most of the London terminus stations (some won't let you onto the platforms anyway like at Liverpool Street and Euston)

At Euston, you won't have any problems if you sign in and get a visitor badge - I've done that a few times recently and spent an hour or so at a time down the long platform 15 ( best one - light is mostly behind you and it's right out in the throat ). Just pointing at the badge clipped to you will get you through any of the platform barriers...

I've not bothered asking for a pass at Liverpool Street; the light, angles and visibility are all so awful there it's simply not worth doing more than a single shot as you get on or off a required unit...

As for the other termini, I'm not aware of any refusing a pass on request, including Fenchurch Street ( run by NR not c2c ) but again, Fenchurch Street... the light and angles are awful... I wouldn't personally bother with that one...

 

[Ant1966]

At Euston, you won't have any problems if you sign in and get a visitor badge - I've done that a few times recently and spent an hour or so at a time down the long platform 15 ( best one - light is mostly behind you and it's right out in the throat ). Just pointing at the badge clipped to you will get you through any of the platform barriers...

I've not bothered asking for a pass at Liverpool Street; the light, angles and visibility are all so awful there it's simply not worth doing more than a single shot as you get on or off a required unit...

As for the other termini, I'm not aware of any refusing a pass on request, including Fenchurch Street ( run by NR not c2c ) but again, Fenchurch Street... the light and angles are awful... I wouldn't personally bother with that one...

Welcome to the forum!
I rarely bother spending much time in Terminus stations, its much better to find a station on the mainline - added bonus of some freight.
(Personal view) I'd recommend the following for good views and photography:
South Kenton
Bethnal Green (no freight, but all of Liv St trains)
Stratford
Finsbury Park
Queenstown Road Battersea
St Johns
Action Mainline
Brent Cross West

 

[purple-Azumas]

Action Mainline

See what you did there!

 

[Sun Chariot]

(Personal view) I'd recommend the following for good views and photography:
South Kenton

I second this. I used it for a shot of 55022 Royal Scots Grey many years ago; and not a single LU personnel asking me to move on.

@enphyte South Kenton's Bakerloo island platform will offer ypu clear views of Up and Down WCML trains.

 

[Ant1966]

See what you did there!

LOL. Wasn't deliberate!